Global Studies, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Global Studies


5 Year BALAS/MA in Global Studies and European Union Studies

The Program in Global Studies with the European Union Center offers a 5-year BALAS /MA degree program in Global Studies and the Master of Arts in European Union Studies (MAEUS). In order to be admitted to this degree program, students apply through a joint application process to their BALAS-granting program and the European Union Center during their third year of studies. Requirements for this degree program are identical to those for the stand-alone BALAS and for the stand-alone MAEUS. Students will receive both degrees when the requirements are met for the degrees; the BALAS and MA degrees will be conferred separately and  independently. More detailed information may be obtained from department and EUC offices.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Global Studies


A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the Global Studies academic advisor before the end of the fourth semester (60 hours) and prior to the required study abroad. Please see your advisor.

Departmental distinction: The department may award distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction to any Global Studies major whose overall and major grade point averages are 3.25 or higher, who successfully completes 3 hours of GLBL 494 or other approved research methods course and who completes a distinction research project. See the departmental academic advisor for details.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: normally equates to 51-55 hours and includes a semester-long full-time study abroad program. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement. 

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by GLBL 100 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
fulfilled by GLBL 100
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20

Major Requirements

Orientation and Professional Development
LAS 101Design Your First Year Experience1
OR
LAS 100
LAS 101
Success in LAS for International Students
and Design Your First Year Experience
3
OR
LAS 102Transfer Advantage1
Total Hours1 or 3
Major Requirements and Electives
Interdisciplinary Foundations Requirements
GLBL 100Intro to Global Studies3
Global Studies Seminars. Select three sections from GLBL 296 OR one GLBL 298 section and one GLBL 296 section3-7
Social Science Core Courses (select one course from four disciplines)12
Anthropology: ANTH 230, ANTH 268, ANTH 270
Global Studies: GLBL 200
Linguistics: LING 222
Political Science: PS 241, PS 280/PS 281, PS 282
Language, Culture Studies and Study Abroad Requirements
Advanced Language Coursework (select two). Select courses in a language other than your primary language(s).6
Japanese: JAPN 305, JAPN 306
Portuguese: PORT 402, PORT 403
Quechua: LAST 445
Regional Area Studies. 200- to 400-level courses which complement the language requirement must include work in at least two disciplinary departments. Area Studies and Language must be geographically related and correspond to language and study abroad location.9
One Semester (Fall or Spring) Study Abroad. Students study a variety of subjects in an approved study abroad program that furthers their language and cultural knowledge or their cultural and thematic area knowledge. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive credit toward this requirement.
Thematic Area Requirements
Students choose an approved thematic area and, in consultation with a Global Studies advisor, construct an appropriate customized curriculum of a minimum of 18 hours. Students cannot include more than 3 hours of 100-level work and must complete a minimum of 9 hours of 300- and 400-level coursework. Courses must be taken from more than one department. Approved thematic areas are:18
A. Cultures in Contact
B.  Wealth and Poverty in a Globalized World
C.  Human Rights
D.  Governance, Conflict and Resolution
E.  Knowledge, Communication and Information Systems
F.  Environment, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility
G.  Global Health
Optional Senior Capstone. Students do an individual research project (GLBL 200, GLBL 494, LAS 494, and, optionally, GLBL 495) based on their Thematic Area.
Minimum Major Hours51-55
Total Hours120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Global Studies


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
LAS 1011Social Science Core course3
GLBL 1003General Education course3
Social Science Core course3General Education course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other Than English (4th level)4
Composition I or General Education course4General Education course or Composition I 3
 15 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Social Science Core course3Social Science Core course3
Thematic Area course3Thematic Area course3
Advanced Language course3Advanced Language course3
General Education course3General Education course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Thematic Area course3Regional Area Studies course3
Thematic Area course3Regional Area Studies course3
Global Studies Seminar1Regional Area Studies course3
General Education course3Free elective course3
General Education course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3 
 16 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Global Studies Seminar course1Global Studies Seminar course1
Thematic Area course3Thematic Area course3
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course2 
 15 13
Total Hours 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Global Studies


Global Studies majors will be able to:

1. Discover how complex, interdependent global systems (natural, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political) affect and are affected by the local identities and ethical choices of individuals and institutions.

2. Develop new skills in in how to research these interconnections through data collection, analysis, building familiarity with academic literature, and writing. 

3. Apply knowledge to promote inquiry, discover solutions, and generate new ideas and creative works, and develop the capacity to conduct independent research in graduate and professional environments.

4. Gain social awareness and cultural understanding through intensive experiential, cross-cultural coursework, advanced language study, and study abroad.

5. Acquire effective leadership and community engagement capacities by developing the ability to make deliberate and independent choices about intellectual and professional trajectories. To do so, students will combine coursework and experiential learning with leadership opportunities (such as the Global Studies Leaders), along with fieldwork, RSO engagement, a semester abroad, volunteer opportunities, and internships with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Global Studies


Global Studies

Global Studies faculty
Global Studies advising

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Overview of LAS Admissions & Requirements